Karen Pointer, Surrey Fire and Rescue ASS Group Commander, said firefighters were 'faced with a fully evolved fire' which had already broken through the roof when they arrived.

"We sent in four breathing apparatus to fight the fire but it was very arduous conditions," Ms Pointer said. "We used the aerial ladder platform from Leatherhead to give access from the top. We had instability of solar panels which we needed to secure and prevent the fire from spreading into the property next door.

"It appears the fire started in the loft void and it will be down to them [fire investigators] to determine how that has happened.

"There is extensive damage, the roof is 100% destroyed by fire, the first floor is about 50% damaged by fire, smoke and water and the ground floor has got water damage.

"The other property did have heat transfer through the roof void, there was potential for the fire to spread through the apex, through the eaves which is why we had to cut away.

"I can categorically say there is no fire spread for the family [next door]."

A fire investigation has been carried out to establish the cause of the blaze.